Data for Room Fire Models

Data needs for state-of-the-art single room fire models are discussed using several examples. Three types of data are needed: geometric, thermal and chemical. Needed geometric data generally present no problem and are not discussed. Under thermal data those quantities which determine the transient surface temperature of objects in the room are considered. For inert materials, these should present no problem but few materials are inert. Even materials used for non-combustible walls or ceilings may have thermal properties which change significantly during the fire development. Chemical properties are the additional data needed to define the burning behavior of materials. These present a more serious problem. Currently, the Harvard simulation needs fifteen properties and pseudo properties (surrogates for complex combinations of more fundamental properties not currently resolved by the models). The importance (relative sensitivity of the simulation predictions) and the availability of useful data are discussed. Some remarks about additional data needs for more detailed simulations currently being considered are also included.